Hello esthomizzy

A couple of maybes:

I know you grow a lot of plants in pots. Has the Magnolia got good drainage? Peaty-sandy sort of mix - free-draining but doesn't dry out?

Did you get a frosty spell that might have nipped the buds? Or a sharp wind?

Is it an 'early' like 'Lennei' or one of the luscious but later ones? (I'm sure you've shared this info before but I'm not remembering.)

Any sign of any buds at all?

You might need to let it get some solid roots together over the coming season, too, as it gets used to new conditions and soil. It would probably appreciate a mulch of leaf mould but away from the trunk.

Look for new buds forming in summer-autumn. My Lennei is currently carrying buds in furry jackets, seed pods just beginning to colour up, and leaves on the turn. So, if your plant was only a youngster going through an upheaval over last summer - give it this one to get settled and see what happens.

Hi Vetivert8

It has good drainage now, I bit the bullet and drilled holes in the bottom of the pot (without it shattering thankfully). I don't think that it could have been drowning it's roots though as I don't think there was long enough for water to have begun to settle around the crocks at the bottom above the soil line. It's a really deep pot (about a metre deep and at least a 3rd of that was crocks). It was it's first winter with me though and we did have quite a few really cold nights in December and January so maybe it either got frazzled with cold or I drowned it. The leaves it's coming up with now look quite healthy. Can I post pics on this section of the forum? If so I could post a pic.

Regds
esthomizzy

My magnolia (planted last year) has flowers on it, but they've all gone brown around the edges as soon as they started opening :-(
Is that because of the strong winds and rain we've had in the last couple of days, or have I done something wrong?

What did you do to put holes in your big planter? It sounded like a huge and patient job when you proposed it, and I'm delighted to hear of your success.

I would have considered getting flowers from a Magnolia the first year as a bonus rather than being guaranteed. Magnolias soulangeana in a pot? I did not get one for my garden, which is 90 foot long because i thought it would take up too much room. They are big spreading trees. i have seen them dominating front gardens - 12 foot high and 15 foot wide. Wouldn't one of the more upright Magnolias be more suitable for a pot?

Frost and rain will turn petals into brown-edged offerings but the later ones should be fine.

The main issue I have with M x soulangeana is - the hungry roots. However, the area below does make a good habitat for bulbs that like dry conditions and good drainage.

Personally, I always craved a M campbellii: I love the one in the Botanical Gardens which drifts down a wide bank. It takes a long time to walk past it so my present garden is not quite right. x soulangeana 'Lennei' and the other goblet-flowered ones aren't too dominant, though, but they need room to disappear after they've finished showing off for the year (with the occasional late flower over the summer).

I've seen there is a Magnolia 'Little Gem' which may be suitable also for tub culture.

The bit that has me fascinated is how Magnolia will respond to root training as it grows on and needs renewal. The ground-grown ones seem quite blase about having chunks chopped through so it will probably be fine.

Hi All

Thanks for replies, I've not checked back on here in a few weeks so apols if I seemed rude. The pot was ok in the end I tipped it over on it's side (halfway) and my boyfriend bravely drilled 5 holes in the bottom and luckily nothing nasty happened. Since last posting I've fed the magnolia with ericacious fertiler and it's got leaves that look as healthy as any on other peoples magnolias so I guess it hasn't got settled in yet. With regards to Geoffs query about the size, I only realised I'd been missold a "small" magnolia after the occasion. I plan to replace it when either it gets too unhealthy or too big (Or maybe offer to someone with a nice big garden).

thanks everyone
esthomizzy

Well keep it in good nick and don't prune then you can swap it. They are beautiful but only when allowed to grow unchecked.
I have seen one called Leonard Messel which seemed very upright and was flowering as a small tree (n I might actually have this - there was a nursery on the Internet selling rooted cuttings and I think I bought this one. Will have to go and look at the label). Just been out, yes it is that one. would recomment it for confined space.